Gene Hatcher Brown

04/20/1928

03/08/2013

Gene Hatcher Brown passed very peacefully in his home holding the hands of his daughter and granddaughter, Laura and Lindsay, on March 8, 2013. Gene, also known as "Poppa" and "The Salmon Slayer", was 84. Gene was born April 20, 1928 in Brunswick, Georgia, to William and Jess Brown, and he had, in his own words: "The most wonderful life, and the greatest love that a man can have." That love was his devoted wife of 50 years Leila Jean Rowson Brown. They were married March 11, 1954, in Trinity Episcopal Church in Reno, Nevada, and lived all their lives in Reno, where both of their children, Walter and Laura were born.

After graduating from Wayne County High School, where Gene was on the honor roll and basketball and football teams, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. There he served for 2 years in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he was a Squad Leader, and Lt. Machine Gun Paratrooper.

Gene graduated from the University of Nevada Reno in 1953 with a degree in Business Administration, was a member of the Student Senate, Phi Alpha Theta, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was also on the Wolf Pack Football and Song Teams.

Gene spent the majority of his career in Real Estate, first as a broker and then as a loan officer. He was the Director of the Reno Board of Realtors 1976 - 1977, and was in the Million Dollar Club 1972 - 1974, where he was Chairman in 1975. He worked for various firms before starting his own in 1982, Gene H Brown & Associates, and then worked for American Federal for many years as a Commercial Loan officer.

Gene's passion was his family and the outdoors. He worked hard so he could take his family fishing, hunting, boating, and camping. These were his happiest days. Although he grew up in Georgia, Gene's life was here in Nevada where he travelled the state and spent wonderful times in the beautiful desert he loved so much. Gene and his son Walt were Hunting Buddies and made countless trips for fowl and game. Gene and Laura were Fishing Buddies and enjoyed travelling to Alaska, British Columbia, Bodega Bay, the Sacramento River, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park, and around Nevada. Most of all, Gene loved to play cards and spend time with his granddaughter Lindsay. He cherished watching her grow, taking her to swimming and teaching her to drive. He was so proud of her and loved to tell her she was his favorite grandchild. He had many friends all over the country, and everyone loved him. He loved people, horses, riding ATVs, boating and sailing, and flying. He loved to sing and enjoyed all kinds of music from Willie Nelson to the Celtic Women. He made the best smoked salmon ever, and not only did he grow the zucchinis, he made it into his famous Zucchini bread, which everyone knew about and loved. He grew a garden almost every year of his life.

Gene is survived by his daughter Laura Jess "Boo" Brown Robertson, granddaughter Lindsay Jenelle Robertson, nephews Bill (Barbara) and Jim (Debbie) Steed, and his beloved dog, Bosco. Gene is preceded in death by the love of his life Leila (2004), his son Walt (2006), his parents William and Jess Brown, his brothers Guy (Wilma) and Roy Brown, his sister Laura, and many wonderful dogs including Cooper (2012).

The family would like to thank Marta and Larry from the Center for Healthy Aging, and everyone at Circle of Life Hospice for their love, care and understanding. No services will be held at this time, but there will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.